Automatic controlling device



Jan. 7, 1936. J. D, ROSS AUTOMATIC CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed May 24, 19264 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 7, 1936. J. D. Ross 2,026,596

AUTOMATIC CONTROLLING DEVICE gvwemtoz I (luau wit Jan. 7, 1936. J. D.ROSS AUTOMATIC CONTROLLING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Shae: 5

Filed May 24, 1926 Jan. 7, 1936. J. D. ROSS 2,026,596

AUTOMATIC CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed May 24, 19 26 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 2gvwcvwoz i W g g @5 61mm A 2 up; I 22. Y

Patented Jan. 7, 1936 V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 32 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic controlling devices, and pertainsmore particularly to apparatus adapted to control the application ofelectric energy to a consumer element.

It is an object of this invention to provide a main circuit in whichsaid consumer element is included, and a controlling circuit in whichare included certain controlling elements, and to provide meansincluding temperature and pressure sensitive elements adapted to causesaid main circuit to be made or broken whenever certain predeterminedconditions are attained.

Other objects and advantages of the inven- -.;.tion will appearhereinafter.

A preferred embodiment of the invention selected for purposes ofillustration is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a top plan view.

Figure 2 is a side elevation.

Figure 3 is a front elevation, part of the cover being broken away tobetter disclose the interior mechanism.

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 5.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figures 6 and 7 are detail views.

Figure 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Figure 5.

Figure 9 is a section on the line 99 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a section on the line IIlI0 of Figure 5.

Figure Figure 8.

Figure Figure 8.

Figure 13 is a semi-diagrammatic view illustrating the electricalcircuits.

Figure 14 is a detail perspective view.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the invention has been appliedto the control of an electric heating element such as may be used inconnection with electrically heated steam radiators, for example, andwill be particularly described with reference thereto. As will beapparent to those skilled in the art from the following description,however, the invention is susceptible of use in various other relationswhere it is desired to control the application of electric energy inaccordance with predetermined temperature or pressure conditions. Whenused in connection with electrically heated steam radiators, theconsumer element (shown diagrammatically in Figure 13) is inserted inthe bottom of a radiator and is used to heat water contained therein togenerate steam as will be understood.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to 11 is a section on theline II--II of 12 is a section on the line I2-I2 of Figure 13 thereof,thelead I from a suitable source of electric current is connected to theconsumer or heating element 2 which is connected by the lead 3 to thecontact 4. A second lead 5 from the source of current is connected 5 tothe contact 6, so that when the rotary switch member I of the switchmechanism hereinafter described is rotated to bridge the contacts 4 and6, current passes through the heating element 2 to heat the same. Thiscircuit may be called 10 the main circuit.

Also connected to contact 6 is a lead ID to the contact II which withcontact I2 forms part of one of the controlling elements. Contacts IIand I2 are normally open but may be closed as 15 hereinafter described.Lead I3 connects the contact I2 with electro-magnet I4 forming part ofthe switch operating mechanism hereinafter described, and lead I5connects said magnet with contact I6 which with contact II forms part of20 another controlling element. Contacts I6 and I! are normally closedbut may be opened as hereinafter described. Contact I1 is connected bythe lead I8 to contact 4. This circuit may be called the controllingcircuit and is connected, as will be apparent, to the main circuit atpoints in one and the same side of said main circuit, and preferably onopposite sides of said switch.

If the parts are in the normal position shown in Figure 13, it will beobserved that the main circuit I, 2, 3, 5 is open and the controllingcircuit I0, I3, I4, I5, I8 is also open, contacts II and I2 beingseparated. If, under these conditions, contacts II and I2 are closed,the magnet I4 is energized to rotate the switch member I, in a mannerhereinafter described, to bridge the contacts 4 and 6, thereby closingthe main circuit so that electrical energy is supplied to the consumerelement 2. As will be understood, the resistance interposed by theconsumer element materially reduces the voltage of the current passingthrough the controlling circuit before the switch member I closes, butafter the switch I is closed, current ceases to pass through thecontrolling circuit, so that no arcing occurs between the contacts IIand I2, even though these may be separated very gradually. Thus thecurrent supplied to the controlling circuit is in the nature of a mereimpulse which is started when contacts II and I2 are closed and which isterminated as soon as switch 1 is closed in response to the impulse.

Contacts II and I2 form part of a thermostatic control element bestshown in Figures 2, 8 and 9, employing in the apparatus illustrated thetem- 55 perature sensitive diaphragm 2| which, as shown in Figure 8, isattached to the partition 22 of the casing by means of the bolt 23. Thediaphragm may be filled with a readily expansible gas such as ether, andthe free side of the diaphragm may be attached to the rod 24 pivoted tothe partition 22 at 25. The lower end of the rod 24 carries a block ofinsulating material 26 into which the contact I2 is fitted. Positionedopposite to contact I2 is contact II which is carried on the rod 21which is rotatably mounted in the insulators 28 and 29, the insulator 29being threaded to cooperate with the threaded end 30 of the rod in orderthat the contacts H and I2 may be adjusted, by turning the knurled head3|, to close at any desired temperature. Closing of the contacts H and|2 energizes the electromagnet M to actuate the armature and the arm 36to permit rotation of the switch member 1 to close the main circuit in amanner hereinafter described.

Carried in the partition 22 and the outer wall of the casing is a. shaft40 (see Figures 4 and 8) to which is attached one end of the coil spring4|, the other end of which is attached to a spring housing 42 looselymounted on the shaft 46. Secured to the housing 42 by means of thescrews 43 is a plate 44, the outer periphery of which (as shown inFigure 5) is provided with a series of projections 45, 45a, 45b and 450to cooperate with the detents 46 and 41 of the lever 48 secured to a rod49 mounted in the partition 22 and the casing. Fixed to the shaft 40(see Figures 4 and 8) is a ratchet wheel 50 which cooperates with thepawl 5| to hold the spring 4| under tension. The shaft 40 is providedwith a squared end 52 so that by means of a key, the shaft 40 may berotated to initially tension the spring 4 I.

Referring again to Figure 5, it will be apparent that if theelectro-magnet I4 is energized the armature 35 will be drawn to theright and the arm 36 will be actuated to rotate the shaft 49 and lever48 to release the engagement of the detent 46 with the projection 45,but at the same time to cause the detent 41 to be interposed into thepath of the opposite projection 45b which is caused to rotate toward itby the tensioned spring 4|.

Reverting to Figure 4 and 8, there are also secured to the springhousing 42 disks of insulating material 55 and 56, between which issecured, by means of the screws 51, the rotary switch member 1 beforereferred to. Thus, as the housing 42 and disk 44 rotate when the detent46 is released, the switch member 1 is also rotated to bridge thecontacts 4 and 6 to close the main circuit.

As soon as the main circuit is closed the heating element begins togenerate steam in the radiator, and continues to do so until the maincircuit is broken. In order to break the circuit the steam pressurecreated within the radiator may be conveniently used. For this purpose(see Figures 5 and 10) the pipe may be provided having a threaded endfor connection to the outer wall of the radiator. This pipe is connectedto the interior of a sylphon bellows 6|, having a floating face 61awhich is connected to the shaft 62. The other end of the shaft 62 isprovided with rack teeth 63 which cooperate with the pinion 64 whichcarries a pawl 65 to engage the ratchet wheel 66 which is rigidlysecured to the shaft 40. Between the floating end of the sylphon bellows6| and the casing is mounted a spring 61 which normally compresses thebellows to collapse the same. As soon as sufiicient pressure is built upin the radiator to overcome the tension of the spring 61, however, theshaft 62 is thrust toward the left thus rotating the pinion 64 and theshaft 40 to rewind the spring 4|.

The shaft 62 also carries a dog 68 having a 5 bevelled face 69 adaptedto engage the pin 10 carried by the lever 48 to lift the same to disengage the detent 41 from projection 45b to permit rotation of thespring housing and switch member 1 to open the main circuit, and tocause 10 re-engagement of the detent 46 with the next successiveprojection 45 to hold the switch member 1 in open position. Alsoattached to the shaft 62 is the contact H which moves with the shaftaway from contact l6, with which it is nor- 5 mally in engagement, tobreak the controlling circuit for purposes hereinafter described.

In order that the pressure static mechanism just described may beadjusted to permit the breaking of the main circuit at any desired pres-20 sure, the rod 1| is connected to shaft 62 in any suitable manner andprojects through the casing. Surrounding the rod 1| is a sleeve 12having a knurled head and exterior threads Also surrounding the rod 1|and located between the 25 sleeve 12 and shaft 62 is a coil spring 13.As will be apparent by turning the sleeve 12 the compression on thespring 13 may be increased or decreased, thus increasing or decreasingthe pressure necessary to expand the sylphon bellows 30 6| to break themain circuit.

Thus it will be observed that the normal condition of the apparatus withthe room temperature at or above normal is as illustrated. Referring nowto Figure 8, if the room temperature falls 35 below that for which thethermostatic control element is set, the diaphragm 2| collapses untilthe contacts II and I2 close, whereupon the electromagnet 4 is energizedand the switch mechanism is rotated to bridge the terminals 4 and 6.Energy 40 is then supplied to the consumer element until the steampressure created in the radiator is sufficient to operate the bellows6|, in which case the switch mechanism is again operated to break thecircuit and at the same time the spring 42 is 45 rewound.

If the room temperature has been raised sufficiently to break thecontacts H and |2, the main circuit remains broken until the roomtemperature is again lowered. On the other hand, 50 if the roomtemperature is still below normal, the contacts and |2 would remainclosed. In order to prevent closing of the main circuit under theseconditions, therefore, the contacts I6 and I1 are provided (see Figures5 and 13) the contact 6 55 being mounted on the insulating block 14 andthe contact |1 being mounted on the shaft 62. When the bellows 6| iscollapsed, the contacts l6 and H are closed, but when the bellows 6| isexpanded contacts l6 and H are open, and even though 60 contacts H and|2 may be closed, the controlling circuit cannot be closed to close themain circuit until the pressure within the radiator decreasessufliciently to permit contacts I6 and H to close.

Under certain conditions, it may be desirable 65 that the application ofthe electric energy to the consumer element be controlled entirely bytemperature, and that the main circuit be broken by operation of thetemperature sensitive element either as a substitute for the pressuremeans 70 previously described, or as an auxiliary thereto. Accordingly,the arm 15 (see Figure 8) is connected to the rod 24 and is pivoted at16 to the partition 22 and extends therethrough to engage the cam 11(see Figure 14) mounted on the shaft 18. Formed integrally with the cam11 is a finger 19 (see Figures 5 and 14) adapted to cooperate with pin"III to trip the lever 48. As will be apparent,.whenever the diaphragm2| is expanded sufiiciently, the arm 15 is moved to depress the cam 11to cause the finger 19 to engage the pin 10 to trip the lever 48 thusbreaking the main circuit.

In the preferred embodiment oi the invention disclosed and describedherein the means just described serves as an auxiliary means in thenature of a safety device. Thus, ii for any reason the sylphon bellows6| should fail to operate, as soon as the room temperature is raisedabove a predetermined degree the main circuit is broken and currentceases to be supplied to the consumer element. It will be apparent,however, that under certain conditions it might be desirable to dispensewith the pressure element entirely, and to control the making andbreaking of the main circuit simply by means of the temperaturesensitive element. Thus it the temperature should drop below apredetermined minimum, the circuit would be made, while if thetemperature is increased beyond a predetermined maximum the circuitwould be broken.

It is to be understood that the invention may be variously modified andembodied within the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a switch, a mechanicalmoto for operating said switch, escapement mec anism interposed betweensaid motor and said switch, means including a temperature-responsiveelement for controlling said escapement mechanism, and means including apressure-responsive element for controlling said esca-pement mechanism.

2. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a switch, a mechanicalmotor for operating said switch, escapement mechanism interposed betweensaid motor and said switch, means including a temperature-responsiveelement for controlling said escapement mechanism, means including apressure-responsive element for controlling said escapement mechanism,and means responsive to the actuation of one of said responsive elementsfor storing energy in said mechanical motor.

3. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a. main circuit, meansfor making and breaking said circuit, a controlling circuit, means insaid controlling circuit for controlling said circuit making means, saidcircuits being so arranged that the closing of said main circuitentirely short circuits said controlling circuit.

4. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a main circuit having aswitch therein, and a controlling circuit having means therein tocontrol s id switch, said controlling circuit being connected te saidmain circuit at points directly on each side of said switch.

5. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a switch, a mechanicalmotor for operating said switch, escapement mec anism interposed betweensaid motor and said switch, a coil shunted about the contacts of saidswitch for controlling said escapement mechanism, and atemperatureresponsive switch for controlling said coil.

6. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a switch, a mechanicalmic; for operating said switch, escapement mechanism interposed betweensaid motor and said switch, a coil shunted about the contacts of saidswitch for controlling said escapement mechanism, atemperature-responsive switch for controlling said coil, andpressure-responsive means for controlling said escapement mechanism.

7. In a controlling apparatus, in combination,

a switch, a mechanical motor for operating said 5 switch, escapement meanism interposed between said motor and said switch, a coil shuntedabout the contacts of said switch for controlling said escapementmechanism, a temperature-responsive switch for controlling said coil,and pressure-responsive means for preventing said temperature-responsivemeans from causing actuation of said switch in circuit-closingdirection.

8. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a switch, a mechanicalmotm: for operating said 15 switch, escapement mechanism interposedbetween said motor and said switch, a coil shunted about the contacts ofsaid switch for controlling said escapement mechanism, atemperature-responsive switch for controlling said coil, pressure- 20responsive means for controlling said escapement mechanism, and meansunder the control of said pressure-responsive means for controlling thecircuit of said coil.

9. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, 25 a main circuit havinga control switch therein, a controlling circuit connected ectly toopposite sides of said switch, a switch 1 d controlling circuit, andtemperature sensitive means for operating said controlling circuitswitch.

10. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a main circuit having acontrol switch therein, a controlling circuit having a uralit o and anelectro-magnet therein, means including a temperature sensitive elementfor operating one 35 of said controlling circuit switches, meansoperated by said electro-magnet to close said main circuit switch whensaid temperature sensitive element closes said controlling circuit,means including a pressure sensitive element to open said 40 maincircuit switch, and means operated by said last named means to operateanother of said controlling circuit switches.

11. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a main circuit having aswitch therein, a controlling circuit connected to said main circuit atpoints in one and the same side of said main circuit and on oppositesides of said switch, a plurality Wel es in said controlling circuit, an

eiec'tfo-magnet in said controlling circuit, means including atemperature sensitive element for operating one of said controllingcircuit switches, means operated by said electro-magnet to close saidmain circuit switch when said temperature sensitive element closes saidcontrolling circuit, means including a pressure sensitive element toopen said main circuit switch, and means operated by said last namedmeans to operate another of said controlling circuit switches.

12. In a controlling apparatus, a rotatable switch, means including a wesaid switch to open and close the same, an escapement mechanism tocontrol the rotation of said switch, and means including temperature andpressure sensitive elements to operate said escapement 66 mechanism.

13. In a controlling apparatus, a rotatable switch, means including a wesaid switch to open and close the same, means to initially tension saidspring, and means including 7 a pressure sensitive element to rewind thesame.

14. In a controlling apparatus, a rotatable switch, means including aggmmmate said switch to open and close the same, an escapement mechanismto control the rotation 01 said 75 switch, means to operate saidescapement mechanism, and means including a pressure sensitive elementto rewind said spring after operation of said escapement mechanism.

5 15. In a controlling apparatus, a rotatable switch, means including asprinaio-mtate said switch to open and close the same, an escapementmechanism to control the rotation of said switch, means including atemperature sensitive element to actuate said escapement mechanism, andmeans including a pressure sensitive element to actuate said escapementmechanism.

16. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a main circuit having acontrol switch therein, a

controlling circuit having a switch therein, temperature sensitive meansfor opening and closing said controlling circuit switch, means wherebyclosing of said controlling circuit switch causes said main circuitswitch to be closed, and means operating independently of saidcontrolling circuit whereby movement of said temperature sensitive meansin one direction beyond a predetermined limit causes said main circuitswitch to be opened.

17. In a controlling apparatus, in combination,

a main circuit having a switch therein, a controlling circuit connectedto said main circuit at points in one and the same side of said maincircuit and on opposite sides of said switch, a switch in saidcontrolling circuit, temperature sensitive means for operating saidcontrolling circuit switch, means whereby closing of said controllingcircuit switch gausgs said main circuit switch to be closed, and meansoperating independently of said controlling circuit whereby movement ofsaid temperature sensitive means in one direction bey d a predeterminedlimit causes said main cirt switch to be opened.

\ In a controlling apparatus, a heating elementfmeans including a maincircuit to connect said element to a source of electric energy, a

switch in said circuit, means including a temperature sensitive elementand an electro-magnetic element to close said switch and circuit to heatsaid element, means including a latch to hold said switch in closedposition, and means including a r s nsitive element responsive topressures created by operation of said heating element to release saidlatch to open said switch and circuit.

19. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a control switch, meansincluding a temperature element and an electro-magnet for controllingsaid switch, means distinct from the first mentioned means including anressnrgsensitive element for additionally controlling said switch, andmeans including the temperature sensitive element supplementing saidsecond mentioned means for additionally controlling said switch.

20. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a switch, a supply ofreleasable energy adapted when released to move said switch, means forcontrolling the release of the energy from said supply,prgssureaesponsive means for controlling said controlling means, andmeans for storing energy in said supply upon actuation of saidpressure-responsive means.

21. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a switch, a supply ofreleasable energy adapted when released to move said switch, means forcontrolling the release of the energy from said supply, and meansresponsive to a condition resulting from the closure of said switch forcontrolling said controlling means.

22. In a controlling apparatus, in combination,

a switch, a supply of releas energy adapted when released to move saidswitch, means for controlling the release of the energy from saidsupply, means responsive to a condition resulting from the closure ofsaid switch for control- 5 ling said controlling means, and means forstoring energy in said supply and under the control of said responsivemeans.

23. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a switch, a supply ofrclfiasable energy adapted 10 when released to move said switch, meansfor controlling the release of the energy from said supply, a coil forcontrolling said controlling means, a switch for controlling said coil,a tomperature-responsive element, and a pressure- 15 responsive element,one of said elements controlling said coil-controlling switch and theother of said elements controlling said first-mentioned controllingmeans.

24. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, 20 a switch, a supply ofreleasable energy adapted when released to move said switch, means forcontrolling the release of the energy from said supply, a coil bridgedacross the contacts of said switch for controlling said controlling 25means, an element responsive to one extreme of a condition under thecontrol of said switch for actuating said controlling means to causereleased energy from said supply to open said switch, and a switch inthe circuit of said coil, 30 said element closing said last-mentionedswitch in response to the other extreme of said condition.

25. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a. switch, a springIBM)! for operating said 35 switch, an escapement mechanism forcontrolling the operation of said motor, temperature-responsive meansfor controlling said escapement mechanism, and means responsive to acondition resulting from operation of said switch for wind- 40 ing saidspring motor.

26. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a switch, a spring motorfor operating said switch, an escapement mechanism for controlling theoperation of said motor, and means respon- 45 sive to conditionscontrolled by said switch for controlling said escapement mechanism.

27. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a switch, a spring motorfor operating said switch, an escapement mechanism for controlling 50the operation of said motor, means responsive to conditions controlledby said switch for controlling said escapement mechanism, and meansunder the control of said main switch for rewinding said spring motor.55

28. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a switch, a spring motorfor operating said switch, an escapement mechanism for controlling theoperation of said motor, a temperatureresponsive element, meansresponsive to actuation of said element in one direction for actuatingsaid escapement mechanism, and means responsive to actuation of saidelement in the other direction for actuating said escapement mechanism.

29. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a switch, a spring motorfor operating said switch, an escapement mechanism for controlling theoperation of said mgtg, a coil and a controlling To switch thereforeshunted about the contacts of said switch, temperature-responsive meansadapted upon actuation in one direction to close said coil-controllingswitch, means responsive to energization of said coil for actuating saides- 7 capement mechanism, and means responsive to actuation of saidtemperature-responsive element in its other direction for actuating saidescapement mechanism.

30. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a switch, a spring motorfor operating said switch, an escapement mechanism for controlling theoperation of said motor, a coil and a controlling switch thereforeshunted about the contacts of said switch, temperature-responsive meansadapted upon actuation in one direction to close said coil-controllingswitch, means responsive to energization of said coil for actuating saidescapement mechanism, means responsive to actuation of saidtemperature-responsive element in its other direction for actuating saidescapement mechanism, and We means adapted in response to predeterminedpressure conditions to prevent energization of said coil.

31. In a controlling apparatus, in combination,

a heating element, a switch for controlling the flow of electricalenergy to said heating element, operating means for said switch, a coilbridged across the contacts of said switch, a switch controlling thecircuit of said coil, a temperature- 5 responsive element upon apredetermined fall in temperature to close said coil-controlling switchand adapted upon a predetermined rise in temperature to affect saidoperating means to cause the latter to open said first-mentioned switch,10 and press onsive means adapted upon a pred'fefin ifi d r igempressure to prevent closure of the circuit of said coil.

32. In a switch of the type described, the com bination comprising anelectromagnet, a switch 15 arm actuated by said magnet, means forholding the switch arm in actuated position, and pressure responsivemeans for actuating said means to release the switch arm.

JOHN D. ROSS. 20

